1. Can you update us with what is going on with the band these days?
Phlegm: We just finished recording our new album “Orchestrated Kill Maneuver” due out on Rotting Corpse Records on June 6th 2010. It’s a 12 song assault that harkens the early days of Swedish death metal akin to bands like Dismember, Grave, Treblinka, Abhoth, Merciless and many others. It’s a vicious assault on the auditory system!!
2.How would you describe your musical sound for those that have never heard you before?
Phlegm: It’s a throwback to the early years of death metal but a mixture of early thrash (Dark Angel or Sadus) with the influences of the Swedish death metal movement that began in the very late ‘80s into the mid 90’s.
3.The last album I got from you came out in 2002, and I have not seen a new one since then, what have you been doing over the period of that time and when can we expect a new album?
Phlegm: The new album should be out in two/three months baring any unforeseen circumstances on Rotting Corpse Records. It’s a label from Chicago that has been very supportive since the beginning. After the 2nd album we took some time off to concentrate on our other bands & unfortunately lost the momentum we had built. We also lost our guitarist Tyrant after he moved to Australia & it took a while to secure the new guitarist Nifelhenious into the line-up. After that we kicked into gear and started churning out material. We already have 4 new songs for the next release.
4. I know the band has a fascination with war, what wars are some of your favorites?
Phlegm: We deal specifically with World War 2. There were so many different facets of that war to cover that it’s an endless supply of ideas. We have concentrated on the European theatre of war for this album & have pondered a new approach for the 4th album. My main interest lies in World War 2 but the First World War & the Korean War have piqued my interest lately & I’m slowly delving into the history behind those. Perhaps in the future will deal with those.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and what can we expect from a live Invasion performance?
Phlegm: We have only done a handful of shows but our best to date was playing with the European warlords ENTRHONED in Chicago! Fucking blast! We did manage to record some live material from one of our shows back in 1997 and we may release that as split vinyl with another death metal band but that is no confirmed. Those songs were on our first release “Conquered” which features material from 1989. As far as our live performance we incorporate the use of sound effects between songs & heavy smoke machines to simulate a mustard gas attack.
6. Are there any plans for a U.S or European tour?
Phlegm: There are no plans at this time for tours or anything that would last a duration. We are hoping to secure a few shows in Chicago first to hone our attack. All the members of INVASION are in other bands and it’s hard to accommodate all the projects. For our record release we are looking at playing with KOMMANDANT & CORPORATION SS but that is still being discussed.
7. How would you describe the musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
Phlegm: INVASION hasn’t ventured too far musically or tried to progress and become a technical death metal band. We are true to our musical roots and what emerged in those early years and that is fitting for the INVASION style. All types of death/thrash/heavy metal have been hammered to death & it would not be beneficial for us to try and become overly technical or become something we are not. Brutal & uncompromising death metal is what we have been labeled by our fans & I don’t think we will venture far from that path.
8. I know some of the band members have a history in the Underground Metal scene that goes as far back as the mid 80's what are some of the bands that you have participated in the past and are there any current side projects going on besides INVASION?
Phlegm: Both Crusader & I perform with the death metal band NOCTURNAL TORMENT. They were initially called THANATOPSIS & formed back in 1988 and it wasn’t until 2008 they reformed & started writing new material. Another project was the Death/Thrash band SEA OF TRANQUILLITY that had several releases out on the Cursed Productions label in the early 90’s. Our bassist Warbastard initially started PROPHECIES ET SANCTUS back in 1988 & I believe was a member of the black metal band BLACK FUNERAL from Indianapolis. If I understand correctly he wrote the material for the first (2) releases. I also play bass for the old school maniacs SKULLVIEW & the stoner legends YELLOWTOOTH and Crusader has joined SUMMON THE VENGEANCE. Music is full time on this end, haha!!
9. How has your music been received so far by extreme metal fans worldwide?
Phlegm: For the majority of the people who hear our music they kill for the sounds of our uncompromising devastation. We don’t have acoustic parts or mellow singing so they know the music of INVASION could accompany a battle scene anywhere in the world. Some of the critics on the other hand bash us & think we are limited in ideas & our approach to their idea of “metal” and to them we say fuck off. We aren’t here to please you. If you don’t like what we play don’t fucking listen.
10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
Phlegm: The Swedish death metal scene initially was the inspiration for the INVASION attack. It wouldn’t be possible without the sounds of ABHOTH, UNCANNY, TREBLINKA, NIHILIST or GRAVE. Also some of the Canadian bands had a hand in our sound: SLAUGHTER, SACRIFICE, ARMOROS, INFERNAL MAJESTY, DBC, etc. Black metal has played a part in our aesthetics as well but it may not be very apparent. SETHERIAL or DARK FUNERAL were excellent. As for current bands I can’t say anything has really struck home. I enjoy the new SÉANCE or MASSIVE ASSAULT releases but we seem to gravitate back to the darkest creations from the earlier years.
11. Does Satanism, Occultism or Paganism play any role in the music?
Phlegm: No. We deliberately deal with war & mankind’s downfall. Those topics are covered significantly by my brothers in other bands to whom we salute.
12. What are some of your interests outside of music?
Phlegm: Guns, books & history primarily. Outside of music we don’t find much enjoyment. The world as a whole is shit & mankind does nothing except feed off each other & absorb everything. Materialistic pricks.
13. Any final words or thoughts?
Phlegm: Thanks for the interview & prepare for INVASION!!! Our new release is scheduled for June 6th 2010. Prepare for war!!!
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